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Saturday, February 6, 2016

Ex Curia

Kaiser Rudolph Imler sat in the passenger
seat of Colonel Dagon’s Iago Comet while 1st Lieutenant Santos
drove. The three youths – Archel, Cassie, and Kent – were seated in the bed of
the truck with their backs to the toolbox. Santos took the direct route on
Gryphus Via 17 (GV17) which connected Markt, Morley, Avalona, and a series of tiny
villages to the City of Ambrosia. Two hours after leaving Avalona, at the
Kaiser’s behest, Santos pulled off GV17 onto Faith Gryphus Lane, where he took
a series of small side streets that ran close to the Templus de Ambros. When
they reached Sentinel Cemetery which abutted the southern wall of the temple
compound, Santos was instructed to park.

“Sir, I understand the cloak and dagger
stuff. But, I don’t understand why we’re parking here,” Santos said. What he
left unsaid was that graveyards creeped him out.

“Lieutenant, have patience,” Kaiser Imler
replied.

“Yes, my liege,” Santos sighed. Patience
was not his strong suit.

The two men opened their doors to find
Cassie, Kent, and Archel already out of the back and standing next to the
truck. Each was in the process of rubbing the feeling back into their numb
asses. The men couldn’t help but laugh. The trio shot them angry looks, before
laughing themselves.

“It’ll take about five minutes to reach
the Phoenix Rose from here,” Imler said.

“What?” Kent asked rather loudly. “I can’t
hear shit. We had the wind blowing in our ears the whole way. Listen, I know
you’re a king and all, but we do that again, either I’m sitting in your lap.
Or, you can ride in the back.”

“Shut up, boyo!” 1st Lieutenant
Santos growled. “You don’t talk to the Kaiser that way. Who do you think you
are?”

“If the two of you could knock it off, that’d
be great,” Kaiser Imler enjoined, “we are attempting stealth and yelling in a
cemetery isn’t exactly going to help our cause. In case you’ve missed it,
those,” he pointed to the east of the graveyard, “are houses. In fact, they’re
the retirement houses of Mercury’s Elite Guard. Uh, Santos, that’ll be where
you end up if you make retirement.” Even though the Kaiser winked, Santos
wasn’t sure if the man was joking. He’d heard that the Kaiser had a sense of
humor, he just never thought he’d see it up close.

Kaiser Imler led them through the parking
lot and into Sentinel Cemetery. The main track circled left around the closed
office and deep into a pine forest dotted with tombstones, mausoleums, and
faded tokens of love left for the dead. They didn’t take the track. Instead,
they walked through a field of flat gravestones which were partially covered in
overgrown crabgrass. A few markers were only recognizable once underfoot. At
the back of the cemetery was an old stone wall with a gravestone embedded into
it. The Kaiser set his foot in the middle of the stone and pushed with all his
might. Before anyone could voice an objection, the stone shifted back an inch.

“We’re going to scale the wall,” Imler
said. “Just to the right is a thick patch of grass that makes for a pretty soft
landing. Well, it may still be there. We’ll find out. Who wants to go first?”

“I will,” Archel answered.

“I just want to know how you know about
this,” Santos said.

“I’m willing. But, you really ought to
know, my arm is shit,” Kent said. “Which is right on point with my life since
my eye is shit, too. Hell, it was hard enough climbing up you, sir. You
wouldn’t happen to know of another way in, would you?”

“I’ll do you one better,” Imler said.
“Fulco, find Aeolus. When you do, show Kent the way. Wait here. Or, there are
benches down that path. We’ve got to go.”

Fulco left immediately, by launching off
of Kent’s shoulder, leaving the young man cussing, “damn it bird! First you rip
my eye out, now you’re tearing my shoulder apart. If you come near me again, so
help me Iphigenia! I’ll break your neck!”

“I can wait here with him,” Cassie
volunteered.

“That’s sweet, but I’ll be fine,” Kent retorted.

“Fine,” Cassie said angrily as she moved
Archel out of the way, grabbed the wall, and climbed over. “That grass is still
here. I’ll let you know how soft—” She slipped, landing with a thump on her
already sore ass. “It’s still here,” she called out, “I don’t know that I’d call
it soft.”

Archel, Santos, and the Kaiser followed
Cassie over the stonewall into the southern portion of the Gryphon Gardens.
Once they were over the wall, the Kaiser led the way taking the fastest route
he knew through the Gardens to the Phoenix Rose. At the edge of the central
garden, Kaiser Imler came to a full stop. Patrick Field was standing over a body
that was lying next to the Phoenix Rose. The groundskeeper was examining a pair
of gardening sheers. His eyes were wide and his mouth tightly closed.

“That’s Mr. Field,” Archel said. “Hey, Mr.
Field!”

The boy started towards the groundskeeper,
but was grabbed by Santos, who whispered, “just wait a minute. Something isn’t
right.”

“It’s not what it looks like,” Patrick
Field said defensively. “I just found him like this. I swear to Mercury!”

“Everyone be quiet,” the Kaiser ordered.
He crossed the central garden, looked down at the body, and shook his head,
“Meranti, you idiot.”
“Sir, he tried to cut the rose,”
Patrick sighed, “no one ever told him we don’t even trim her. He stole the
sheers from the storage. I don’t know what he was thinking.”

“He’s a pawn,” the Kaiser said. “We need
to hide him. I don’t want anyone else knowing I’m here or that this happened.
Not yet. Someone’s trying to kill the Rose. I plan on finding out who else is
involved. Mr. Field, will you help?”

“I—I guess. I mean, yes, sir.”

“Archel, help Mr. Field hide Meranti. Stay
with him until I send for you. Is that understood?”

“Yes,” Archel answered.

“Santos, I need you to get three men you
trust to rotate four hour shifts guarding the Phoenix Rose. If anyone
approaches her, detain them. If anyone acts suspicious around her, detain them.
I’ll question them later. Once you’ve assigned a watch, find Archel and Mr.
Field. Cassie and I will meet you tomorrow afternoon. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!” Santos headed east towards the
barracks. He had three men in mind. Fellows he knew owed him and who had the
capacity to keep their mouths shut.

“Cassie, I know you’re still learning your
abilities,” the Kaiser smiled as the girl nodded her ascent, “I’ve got a task
for you. I’ve heard stories about Mercury’s Bracelet. And, I saw some of what
you could do with it back in Avalona. I need to know, can you teleport with it?
Are those stories true?”

At first she didn’t answer, she stared at
her king attempting to figure out what he wanted. Finally, she said, “yes. The
stories are true. But, I can’t exactly control it.”

“Come with me,” he said to Cassie before
he turned to the groundskeeper, “will you keep this quiet?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Your assistance will not be
forgotten,” the Kaiser waved his hand in a triple circle, “let’s say, I’ll owe
you one. Come, Cassie, we’ve got work of our own to attend. Tomorrow, Mr.
Field.” The Kaiser led the girl down one of the garden paths heading west.

“It’s Patrick, sir!” the groundskeeper
called after his king.

While they walked, Kaiser Imler asked,
“Cassie, how much do you know about your unique role in the kingdom?”

“Me? Uh, oh. I can’t answer that. I know
stories of what other Messengers have done. And, I know what’s happened to me
so far. I know that without this bracelet, I would have died in Avalona. And, I
know that I’m supposed to carry your messages. But, I don’t know what they are.
Say, are you going to tell me now?”

“In a way, I suppose I am.”

“Well, I don’t mean to be rude, but…do you
want to start with telling me where we’re going?”

“We need a place to hide for the night, so
we’re going to the Heart of the Seven Faeries. My father showed me a lounge
under it. More importantly, there are some passages that will get us where we
need to be tomorrow. Once we’re out of sight and hearing, I’ll explain
everything in better detail.”

“As
long as you’ve got it figured out,” Cassie said as she shrugged.

The courtroom of the Antigone Courts was
moderately decorated in nationalistic symbols, including a picture of the
Kaiser, the flag of Poterit Don, and the regional flags. The nine justices were
seated in their traditional positions along a semi-circled panel that faced pew
benches meant for court attendees. Behind the currently empty pews, was the
citizen entrance, over which hung an atomic clock. To the left of the justices
was an entrance for criminals, to their right was the door to their private
chambers and the hallway which lead back to the main chamber, the antechamber,
and eventually the passageways under the Ambrosian Fields. Chief Justice Fraunx
Adonis stood at his Overseer’s lectern, monitoring the debates. He wasn’t just
bored, his mind was on a certain bit of information he’d gleaned in the
recordings obtained from The Inquisitor. Adonis was on autopilot observing the
rules of court while envisioning the details of the job he needed done and also
keeping an eye on the clock. The debates had already proceeded far longer than
he had hoped. If a decision wasn’t reached in the next hour, he’d be forced to
call them to recess so that he could keep his appointment with The Inquisitor.

“Justice Levi Bayleaf,” Adonis said, as he
nonchalantly leaned against the Overseer’s lectern, “have you cast your vote on
the matter at hand?”

“Yes, Chief Justice. And, I’d like to go
on the record as voicing extreme opposition to the proposal of Justice
Mayfield. May I have time to make my voice heard?”

Adonis looked up at the clock in the back
of the courtroom, “Justice Bayleaf, you have three minutes. Make your voice
heard.”

“Thank you, Chief Justice,” Bayleaf said
as he stood up from his position on Adonis’ immediate right. “Yesterday, we
spent the day in arduous study, seeking precedence for the Antigone Courts to
declare war in the absence of the Kaiser. After searching through every law we
knew and countless ones we did not, we found nothing. Not one single RQ allows
for a declaration of war to be made by the Justices of the Antigone Courts. Let
me quote from 325 RQ dash 1A:

‘In
all matters of War, the reigning Kaiser shall determine the best course of
action for Poterit Don. The decision to go to war rests with the Kaiser, who
shall base his decision off of three factors: 1) in questions of offensive war,
testimony from the Regular Militia’s Regional Generals concerning necessity and
preparations; 2) in questions of defensive war, testimony from observers of a
direct attack on Poterit Don as well as testimony from the Regular Militia’s
Regional Generals concerning proportionate responses and current military capacities
to make said response; and, 3) in questions of allegiance war, testimony from
an allied diplomat concerning a direct attack on the ally’s land as well as
testimony from the Regular Militia’s Regional Generals concerning proportionate
responses and current military capacities to make said response.’

“As you can see, the question
before us is related to clause 2 regarding defensive wars which requires
testimonies from witnesses and generals. In addition to our missing Kaiser, we
are also missing these testimonies. We debate voting for war without having met
the minimal requirements asked of the Kaiser when the question of war sits
before him. I say unto you, the proposed course of action is not merely a
travesty it is a mockery. If we declare war and move to make war, then we have
proven that we are not fit to uphold the law. I reserve the remainder of my
time for rebuttal.”

“Justice Bayleaf, your voice has been
heard. One and a half minutes remain for rebuttals,” Chief Justice Adonis
replied automatically as he rapped his fingers on the side of the lectern. He
suppressed a yawn while asking, “are there any other voices of opposition
wishing to be heard?”

“I would also like to voice my
opposition,” Justice Moira Thibodeaux said in her nasally west Donian accent.
Her salt-and-pepper grey hair was pulled tightly back in a bun effectively
thinning her already needle nose face. “How much time do I have?”

“Justice Thibodeaux, you have three
minutes,” Adonis answered. He flicked his fingers and chewed his lip.

She stood up in her position fourth from
Adonis’ left, slapped her hands together and cried out, “WAR!” All the justices,
including Adonis, jumped. The mostly demure Justice Thibodeaux, smiled with her
mouth, but not her eyes, “I thought that might wake you up. Justice Bayleaf is
correct. We should not even be discussing this matter. Let me draw your
attention to two laws, first, 1776 RQ dash 5, clause 1. I quote, ‘An underage
Kaiser shall make no legal decisions and is required to attend all meetings of
his advisory staff and generals.’ And, the second is from the same RQ, clause
2. Again, I quote, ‘In the question of war, when the Kaiser is underage, the
advisory staff and generals shall utilize the available data to abide by the
laws of Poterit Don.’ Though our Kaiser is missing and not underage, we are
directed to heed to the decisions of his advisory staff and generals. Are we
the advisors or generals of Poterit Don? No. We are the interpreters of the
law. We have no business declaring war,” she glared at Adonis, “nor in leading
warriors. I reserve the remainder of my time for rebuttal.”

“Justice Thibodeaux, your voice has been—”
Thrice came the knocking. “Your voice has been heard,” Adonis and the other
justices looked at the main entrance. Mercury’s Elite Guardsmen well knew they
weren’t to interrupt a closed hearing. “One and a half—” The heavy oak doors
squeaked open and by far the shortest of all the Merc’s stepped into the
chamber. Adonis slammed his hand against the lectern and shouted, “this is a
closed hearing!”

“Apologies Chief Justice, I knocked and
waited 15 as is custom,” the Merc mumbled. “This man must speak to you.”

“What man?”

The Merc guardsman stepped out of the doorway,
revealing Ensign Sebastian Balin.

“Chief Justice,” Ensign Balin nodded.
“Justices of the Antigone Courts.” He nodded again. “I am Ensign Sebastian
Balin of Mercury’s Elite Guards. I’ve been ordered to inform you that Kaiser
Rudolpho Imler requests your presence in Avalona. I’ve been given this,” he
held up a letter, “to prove that the request comes from the Kaiser.
Additionally, a transport awaits you topside. The Kaiser wishes for your
presence as quickly as possible. We are to go, now.”

Adonis bit his lip, before saying, “I’ll
have the letter, Ensign.”

“Of course, Chief,” Ensign Balin nervously
crossed the courtroom. He had never had the misfortune of being sent to the
highest courts in the land. Nor had he ever wanted to deal with such. Even so,
he was a trusted cousin, and when the Kaiser had asked, Colonel Dagon had suggested
Balin be sent on this errand. He placed the letter in Adonis’ outstretched
hand.

“The seal of the griffin king,” Adonis
remarked prior to breaking the seal and unraveling the document. “It appears
that the Kaiser is alive. We are asked to join him in Avalona. Thank you,
Ensign Balin. You are excused. We will meet you topside.” The ensign
about-faced and purposefully strode out the oak doors. The Merc guardsman tried
to quietly ease the heavy doors, though his effort was useless. Adonis waited
silently while the Merc struggled to stifle the squeak. When the doors were
closed and the Justices were once again in a closed session, Adonis spoke, “in
light of new evidence, I move that Justice Mayfield’s proposal be tabled. Do I
have a second?”

“I second,” Justice Thibodeaux answered.

“I third,” Justice Bayleaf said smartly.

“We are summoned to Avalona on urgent
business,” Adonis stared at the clock, 45 minutes until his appointment. The
letter said immediately, though he had not shown it to the others. He needed a
justifiable reason to delay; something that all the Justices could be in
agreement about. “Prior to the enlightening interruption, I contemplated
adjourning for lunch. Since our debate is tabled, I move that we recess for
lunch. Afterwards, we’ll meet topside at the transport for a trip to Avalona. Do
I have a second?”

“I second,” Justice Mayfield replied.

“I third,” Justice Scott mocked.

“We are adjourned. Meet at the transport
in one hour.”

“Chief Justice,” Songtree said, “do you
think that is wise?”

“Seeley,” a smiling Adonis answered her
with, “a hungry judge is no judge at all.”